Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

 

This past February, Russo won the School Bell Award during the Founders Day Dinner sponsored by the Spring Branch Council of PTAs for both volunteer and organizational work after Hurricane Harvey flooded families across the area.

 

Days after the massive storm system struck, she had organized regular meals for up to 16 Stratford High teachers impacted directly by the hurricane. The family meals lasted six weeks.

 

She also organized and hosted a college essay writing workshop in her home to help 38 students work with teachers to make sure that Harvey’s lasting damage would not impact the college-going plans of seniors.

 

In addition, Russo helped organize an amazing Amazon supply drive for campus families who needed help, and she was involved in a big volunteer campaign by 60 students to “muck out” about 50 homes in the Stratford attendance zone.

 

“I’m an organizer of chaos,” Russo told news anchor and reporter Syan Rhodes. But the econ teacher believes that her actions aren’t important or remarkable, compared to so many others.

 

“The real heroes on this campus are those teachers who flooded out and then came to work every day. I come up with a crazy idea and others make it happen. But some of our teachers are still not back in their homes and we need to continue taking care of them,” Russo said. “They are our real heroes.”

 

On Harvey’s one year anniversary, Russo’s wish is that the Houston region does not flood again.

 

But the pragmatist and optimist in her knows that should flood waters come again, the Stratford and Houston communities will be strong once again. “If it happens, the community will come back together to respond again,” she said.

 

KPRC-TV 2’s “Harvey Hero” segment is expected to be broadcast soon. No date has been announced yet.